Free Agency 2023 thread

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Post all news, rumors and signings here.

With the additiona of Jalen Ramsey, the Dolphins will likely look to go for mid and lower tier players in free agency - unless they can free more cap space.

Some of the players I'm looking at right now:

TE Josh Oliver, Ravens - great blocker who hasn't really been used as a receiver.
TE Foster Moreau, Raiders - good blocker and decent receiver
LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys - excellent player but has a long injury history - he's a leader and defensive playcaller
LB Alex Anzalone, Lions - looks like a good fit for this defense, coming off a productive season with 125 tackles
LB Alex Singleton, Broncos - played in a similar system and racked up 150 tackles this season
LB Zach Cunningham, Titans - once-great LB has battled injuries

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Interestingly, the Bills are currently $19,425,532 OVER the cap according to Spotrac. They'll have to make some moves to get under by Wednesday, when the league season begins.

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Hearing that the Patriots will target Andrew Van Ginkel. I wouldn't be surprised if they go after Nik Needham too.  

[DolFan 316]

LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys - excellent player but has a long injury history - he's a leader and defensive playcaller

Grier's focusing on him and nobody else at LB. You all know it, and you all know why.

Interestingly, the Bills are currently $19,425,532 OVER the cap according to Spotrac.  They'll have to make some moves to get under by Wednesday, when the league season begins.

MUAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!!

[DolFan 316]

Hearing that the Patriots will target Andrew Van Ginkel.  I wouldn't be surprised if they go after Nik Needham too.   

Come on man, don't be bringing that energy in here today of all days

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Patriots trade free agent bust TE Jonnu Smith to the Falcons. I didn't hear the trade compensation, but it can't be much.

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LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys - excellent player but has a long injury history - he's a leader and defensive playcaller

Grier's focusing on him and nobody else at LB. You all know it, and you all know why.

LOL He did play a full season in 2021 and only missed 3 games in 2022, so maybe the injury big is mostly behind him???

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Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

When the negotiating window for free agency opens in under an hour, the Texans and Raiders are expected to pursue former 49ers’ QB Jimmy Garoppolo, per league sources. Jets also could get in, but they’re in wait-and-see mode right now.
11:37 AM · Mar 13, 2023

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Bucs looking at Jacoby Brissett.

So...if Rodgers screws the Jets, the Jets could miss out on Jimmy G and Brissett while they're waiting. Heard a rumor that if it comes to that, they may try to trade for Matthew Stafford.

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Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.
12:14 PM · Mar 13, 2023

Wow!

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One linebacker gone:

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

Source: The #Bears are on the board, signing star former #Eagles LB TJ Edwards to a 3-year deal.
12:15 PM · Mar 13, 2023

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Seahawks cut DL Shelby Harris. He played for Fangio in Denver.

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Of note to the Dolphins:

Dianna Russini
@diannaESPN

The Chicago Bears are targeting RT Mike McGlinchey. The two sides are talking and hoping to get a deal done, per sources.
12:21 PM · Mar 13, 2023

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Damn, this guy was on my list:

Broncos signed LG Ben Powers, formerly of the Ravens, to a four-year contract.

Per 9News's Mike Klis, the deal is in the work but not official yet. Expect the contract to be finalized and cap numbers revealed in the coming days. Powers was drafted by the Ravens in 2019 and has been a full-time starter in each of the past two years. He put his best work on tape last year, allowing 12 pressures and zero sacks across 597 pass-blocking reps.

Source: Mike Klis on Twitter
Mar 13, 2023, 12:47 PM ET

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Ravens cut Calais Campbell. Would love to see the former Cane come back to Miami for a year!

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I don't like this:

Simon Charles
@S_CharlesNFL

#BREAKING: Former #Bengals S Jessie Bates is planning to sign a 4-year deal with the New England Patriots, per sources...

Bates will fill the void left behind by newly retired Devin McCourty.

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Trey Wingo reporting that the Jets still have no idea what Aaron Rodgers plans to do.

What a shitshow that has turned out to be!

[Umix10]

Mike White is a Dolphin

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Lots of action:
The Pats have not signed Jessie Bates - my earlier post was apparently fake news.
Commanders signed RT Andrew Wylie.
Bills signed LG Connor McGovern.
Raiders signed Jimmy G.
Broncos signed RT Mike McGlinchey.
49ers signed DT Javon Hargrave.
The Chargers cut TE Donald Parham, who could be of interest to the Phins.

And, as Umix said, the Phins signed Mike White...which makes me want to throw up. Not a fan.

Dolphins signed QB Mike White, formerly of the Jets, to a two-year contract.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is worth "up to" $16 million. That means the actual cap figure will come in at far less than $16 million, though White can reach the larger number through incentives. The Dolphins were forced to turn to Teddy Bridgewater and eventually Skylar Thompson after Tua Tagovailoa went down last year. Neither player came close to replacing the production of Miami's starter. Dolphins GM Chris Grier mentioned some concerns around Tua's health at the combine, making an upgrade at backup quarterback inevitable. White showed a strong ability to execute a quick passing game and hit short to intermediate throws while in New York. He joins the Dolphins as a far safer insurance policy on their starter than they had in 2022.

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Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

Former Jaguars’ OT Jawaan Taylor reached agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal, including $60M gtd, with the KC Chiefs, per sources. Deal negotiated and confirmed by Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.

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Germaine Pratt LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Another LB:

Germaine Pratt
Bengals re-signed LB Germaine Pratt to a three-year, $21 million contract.

Pratt will earn $10.35 million in the first year of his deal according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The former third-round pick has started 54 games for the Bengals since joining the team in 2019, totaling 355 tackles, 20 TFLs, and three INTs. Pratt earned an impressive 90.1 PFF coverage grade last season, which led all linebackers.

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Trey Wingo reporting that the Jets still have no idea what Aaron Rodgers plans to do.

What a shitshow that has turned out to be!

Wingo now saying Rodgers to Jets is moving forward - he called it a done deal, so I guess it will be announced soon.

EDIT: Both Schefter and Rapoport are saying that the deal is NOT done yet. This whole Rodgers situation is a disaster.

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Damn, Vikings signed TE Josh Oliver. I was hoping we'd get him.

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Panthers signed S Vonn Bell. He was a player I thought the Phins might take a look at.

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Bears are signing Bills' LB Tremaine Edmunds to a 4 year, $72 million contract!  $50 million guaranteed! That's INSANE money for him.

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